Grant Payments.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 March 2005

Wednesday, 2 March 2005

Ceisteanna (60, 61)

Simon Coveney

Ceist:

112 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food her position on the proposed cut by the EU on grant aid for forestry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6792/05]

Jimmy Deenihan

Ceist:

128 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding the proposed changes to the forest premium scheme and grants available for planting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7050/05]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture and Food (Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 128 together.

The issues raised by the Deputies relate to proposals for forestry contained in the draft rural development regulation 2007-13, first published by the European Commission last summer, and which is the subject of ongoing negotiations in Brussels. I must emphasise that these are merely proposals at this stage and they are some way from agreement in their present format.

When the proposed new regulation was first published, Ireland was one of the first member states to recognise the threat that the draft regulation posed to countries with active afforestation programmes.

From the outset, the Irish position on the draft regulation in relation to forestry has been clear and unequivocal. We have continually and consistently made known our opposition to the Commission's proposals particularly those proposing to reduce establishment grants, premiums and associated premium payment periods.

This is the position we have articulated consistently at every level from working group up to the Agriculture Council. I expressed my views on the impact of the proposals for forestry in Ireland at the ministerial Agriculture Council meeting in November 2004 and directly to Commissioner Fischer Boel. I restated these views, at the Agriculture Council meeting this week.

We will continue to work at all levels to achieve the best possible deal for Ireland in the admittedly tough negotiations that lie ahead. Early on in the process I established a consultative-liaison group, comprising representatives of the forestry sector, which meets regularly. Through this group, the sector is consulted and informed of developments.

Final decisions on the proposed regulations are not expected to be taken by the Council of Ministers for some months.